Northwestern University President Michael Schill Announces Resignation Amid Federal Funding Freeze

CHICAGO, Sept. 4, 2025 - Michael Schill, the 17th president of Northwestern University, announced today that he will resign from his post as the university contends with a prolonged freeze of federal research funds by the Trump administration. Schill, who has led the Evanston-based institution since 2022, will remain in office until the Board of Trustees appoints an interim successor.

In a statement released Thursday, Schill reflected on his three-year tenure, during which Northwestern secured record levels of philanthropy and advanced its research mission, while also navigating significant challenges. “It has been my profound honor to serve as President of Northwestern University. As I reflect on the progress we have made and what lies ahead, I believe now is the right time for new leadership to guide Northwestern into its next chapter,” he said.

Since spring, the university has been grappling with a freeze of roughly $790 million in federal grants across agencies including Defense, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services. The funding halt followed investigation into the university’s handling of pro-Palestinian campus protests and allegations of antisemitism under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Schill spent months negotiating with federal officials to restore the funds, characterizing the freeze as a threat to academic freedom and the institution’s research excellence.

Under Schill’s leadership, Northwestern also undertook major capital projects-most notably the ongoing rebuild of Ryan Field-and implemented reforms to student-athlete welfare in the wake of a high-profile hazing scandal. Despite these achievements, Schill faced intense scrutiny from Congressional Republicans who called for greater transparency on endowment investments and criticized his agreements with protest leaders.

The Board of Trustees has initiated a nationwide search for an interim president. Schill will assist in the leadership transition and has expressed his intention to take a sabbatical before returning to the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law to teach and conduct research.